For centuries, the use of the death penalty has been a popular practice used by a number of countries across the globe. Unfortunately, The Supreme Court has deemed it constitutional under the protection of the 8th Amendment, against cruel and unusual punishment. Although this is true, capital punishment has been subject to intense debate throughout the world, with a variety of perspectives and viewpoints as to why it shouldn’t be administered. The true constitutionality of the death penalty is an ongoing international controversy that involves a multitude of strengths and weaknesses embraced not only by the general public but by political platforms. Several supreme court cases shed light upon particular information that question the morality of this punishment. Applying the content of its captivating history, individuals have been able to deduce excellent points to uphold this argument. Capital Punishment remains a relevant and controversial issue in America today and should be seen as unconstitutional due to its uncivilized context, applied in a prejudiced and unfair manner.
With such controversy, political leaders have become more inclined to speak out and share their personal opinions on capital punishment. One of these being, former democratic presidential candidate and current senator, Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders has been a reputable advocate for abolishing the death penalty, even vowing for it, if elected president. Sanders believes the government should not participate in murder itself as a way of reformed justice. Moreover, he acknowledges that often innocent individuals and minorities are executed, claiming the death penalty as moral savagery, tainted with racial prejudice (Brody). Another well-known figure with publicized views is former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. During his term, Trump fully endorsed the death penalty and encouraged it by using his power to appoint the justices in the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally, he called for the state of New York to reinstate its death penalty following the conviction of five teenagers involved in an assault case. Despite capital punishment existing as a barbaric measure unworthy of a proper society and denies civil liberties, it continues to be a course of action that Donald J. Trump entirely subsidizes (Wolf). Mentalities toward capital punishment have changed incredibly over the years. In the past five years, most Democrats preferred life detainment to capital punishment, although now almost eight out of 10 do (Jones).
The death penalty, or otherwise known as Capital Punishment, is significantly argued in the United States of America to date but holds proof to be unconstitutional. From widely known political figure platforms to supreme court cases gathered evidence, the violation of the 8th Amendment is presented evidently. The strikingly controversial history has emphasized the unconstitutionality further. The entire system is truly a broken process and conflicts with the fundamental values of our popularity-based framework. It will be engaging to observe the changes that may transpire with the recently elected President of the United States, Joe Biden. All in all, Capital punishment inherently abuses the established Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment and consists of horrendous denial toward civil liberties.
deathpenaltyinfo.org/
https://www.aclu.org/other/
www.cnn.com/2019/07/27/
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